The Writers Guild of America is telling its members not to work for Millennium Films, the production company behind the “Expendables” franchise.
In a memo sent to WGA members and obtained by IndieWire, the guild says Millennium is not a signatory to the 2023 contract and that it has a history of failing to pay writers both compensation and residuals on time.
“The Guild has determined that Millennium is not financially responsible and requires the posting of an adequate bond before it can become signatory. Millennium has, to date, refused to do so,” the guild’s leaders wrote in part. “It is crucial that Millennium be prevented from undercutting writers’ standards and conditions. Until there is resolution, Millennium cannot be allowed to benefit from writing services provided by WGA members.”
The guild adds that you should contact the WGA if you’ve been approached or employed by Millennium since May 1, 2023.
Reps for Millennium Films did not immediately respond to IndieWire’s request for comment.
Avi Lerner, the producer of “Rambo” and other films, founded Millennium in 1996. The studio has also been behind “Hellboy” (2019), “Conan the Barbarian” (2011), and “The Mechanic,” and it has operated as a sales agent on a number of other films like “Angel Has Fallen.”
Millennium was a signatory to the 2020 WGA MBA contract, but it won’t be able to hire guild writers until it becomes a signatory to the new one.
Back in 2013, Millennium sued the WGA and writer David Callaham over a credits dispute, but that issue was settled out of court. And Gerard Butler, who worked with the company on “Olympus Has Fallen” and others in the “Fallen” franchise, sued in 2021 for unpaid royalties.
Millennium most recently released “The Bricklayer” and “The Expendables 4″ last year, and it has “Red Sonja: The Legend Begins” in post-production.
